Wednesday, June 8, 2005

ROAD TRIP! That’s right, after a week of workin’ for the Man, too little sleep, laundry, unpacking then packing (heaven help this child), I’m off again for a Family Car Trip…

See the USA! In a Chevrolet! (Or maybe a Ford Taurus?!)

My Aunt moved to Atlanta late last year and my Mom and other Aunt have been pining to see their Platinum Twin, so OFF we go! We rented a car and will be sightseeing and trippin’ for the next week or so…

******************************************

Any suggestions for *MustDO Atlanta* ?! I’ve only been there once for a 3-day weekend a long time ago and don’t know my way around…

MustDo Knitting FUN? My Aunt Joan is my newest partner in Knitting Crime and we just might have to Sample the Scenery so to speak while we’re there…

String of Purls on Marietta Square has the best service. Cast On Cottage (roswell) & Strings and Strands (buckhead) each have an awesome selection. There are several knit knights (oddly all on Th. nights after SOP started theirs!) and the StichNBitch Atlanta group meets all over the metro area. post and let us know where you’ll be! Hope to see you!

If you pass through Chattanooga, it’s worth a stop for lunch or a snack. You can see the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, the Cherokee Passage walk, and the Aquarium is not to be missed.

There are 2 yarn shops of note there: Genuine Purl on Frasier Boulevard (near Bone Appetit, a couple of restaurants, and Coolidge Park), and also Great Balls of Yarn, on 14th at Williams St downtown, which also has some lovely dining locations.

Don’t know if your route will take you through Adairsville, GA (it’s about an hour northwest of Atlanta), but R&M Yarns is located there; they do mill ends and are open M-F 8-4:30, and Sat. 9-2. (1-800-343-9276) I’ve gotten some very interesting mohairs from them in the past.

I like Strings and Strands in Buckhead as well. They have a great selection. You can also check out the World of Coke (the Coca-Cola museum) where you can catch my Dad selling tickets or giving tours. For other tours, the Atlanta History Center is always a crowd pleaser. Or Margaret Mitchell’s home and/or the Joel Chandler Harris home. My other favorite store is near Buckhead and it’s called Boxwood Gardens. Not a knitting store but a very cool house that has been turned into a greenhouse/cool knick knacks and things you don’t see other places. If you stay near Buckhead (where my mom & dad live) the Buckhead Bread Company is very good for breakfast. Have a great time!

Little Five Points is very good for boutiques and other cute independent shops.

Last time I went to Atlanta a friend-of-a-friend took us to some fancypants night club that apparently was one of Madonna’s hangouts whenever she was in town. Alas, she wasn’t there, but the basement and sub-basement with different DJs on each were very cool.

For some good restuarants try Pappadeuxs’, Atlanta Fish Market, or anything in Buckhead. Little Five Points and Buckhead have great boutique shopping. Just be prepared and patient. It’s really hot right now and traffic is always horrible.

If you’d like a tour guide, I’m your woman. There are now over 20 yarn shops in the area,and lots of great restaurants. I’m sure we could arrange a fabulous S&B one evening, as well. Welcome to Atlanta – bring your umbrella.

I used to live in Atlanta and I highly recommend the botanical gardens as a destination. Also, Atlanta has GREAT Indian food. I also used to live betwixt the ATL and Chatanooga, and I agree, Chatanooga is worth the stop.

it has been several years since i lived in atlanta, but i agree with the suggestions re: little five points. cool shops. also, a bar in that area called the vortex has good food and beers.

one more thing – i remember going to an improv comedy place called dad’s garage that was a lot of fun. i don’t think it was located in little five points, but not too far from it. closer to mid-town, maybe?

There are lots of knitting shops in the area, but Why Knot Knit is just lovely, well stocked, and has great chocolate! If you get to leave the city, head out to Watkinsville (near Athens) to visit Main Street Yarns & Fibers.

And if you decide to KIP while in town, please do let us Georgians know!

Downtown Chattanooga is a great pit stop on your way to ATL; so is Nashville. You can stretch your legs at the Bicentennial Mall on 8th Ave. North It’s a beautiful park that was created to celebrate the state’s 200th anniversary and has fountains, a carillon courtyard where you can hear music on the hour, and since it’s bordered on one side by the Farmer’s Market (which has indoor stores and restaurants-all locally owned-as well as outdoor produce stalls) it’s a great place to grab a meal in the shadow of the state capitol building. Also, US 41 parallels Interstate 24, and in the more rural areas is a nice scenic alternative to the freeway.

Welcome to Atlanta! You can KIP just about any night of the week here in the ATL. The Atlanta SnB yahoo group has a calendar that includes many of the times/places. Let us know where you’ll be!

The botanical gardens has a garden train exhibit right now that’s supposed to be cool. This weekend is music midtown, Vibefest and a lot going on intown. I second Fat Matt’s – great ribs and live blues. Little 5 is fun. Why Knot Knit is my fave shop too.

Sure gonna miss you while you’re away! I didn’t knit the last time I was in Atlanta so I couldn’t direct you to any knitting stops, but be sure to have some bucketwheat pancakes for me while you’re there. Yum!

P.S. La Samaritaine has just CLOSED for an indefinite amount of time due to much needed renovation. We made it there just in time, mon amie!